Trump Confirms Gingrich ‘Absolutely’ On His VP Short List

Much speculation surrounds who is on Donald Trump’s short list to choose as a vice presidential running mate.

The shroud of secrecy was cast wider last week when Ben Carson appeared to throw the media for a loop. At first, he confirmed a list of names the billionaire and presumptive Republican presidential candidate was considering. But later, stated he was just in essence telling the media what it wanted to hear. Then Trump tweeted Marco Rubio was most certainly not being considered and neither were most of the names Carson implied were being considered.

At about the same time those instances were occurring, rumors were being floated that Newt Gingrich was also being considered, to which the former House Speaker replied he would have a hard time turning down the offer to serve under Trump if he were asked to run as his VP.

Trump, as a guest via telephone Friday on Fox and Friends, was asked by co-host Brian Kilmeade, “Should we tell him (Gingrich) he’s on the short list?”

“Sure. Why not?” Trump replied. “He’s a great guy. You might as well.”

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Trump wouldn’t say who else is on his VP list, but added, “Newt is such a great guy. He’s been such a great supporter. He’s a tremendous guy.”

Kilmeade questioned again, “But he’s on the short list right?”

“Absolutely! I’ll say yes because he’s been such a supporter. Anybody that supports me is on the short list as far as I’m concerned,” the Republican candidate replied, leaving open the possibility there were others being considered.

The buzz around a Gingrich VP pick is substantial, based in part on his successful term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Gingrich was a representative in the House from 1995-99 and eventually served as the Speaker of the House.

Trump’s confirmation of Gingrich as being on his VP list comes just two days after Trump released a list of names of federal judges he would consider appointing to Antonin Scalia’s open SCOTUS seat.

Both decisions, to consider naming Gingrich and appoint a conservative justice to the Supreme Court, are sure to please Republicans who were concerned about Trump’s conservative values. In fact, current Speaker of the House Paul Ryan called the judicial considerations a, “very good step in the right direction.”